From the creative team who brought you Jerusalem, Ryde Boy and The Last Five Years comes a dazzling staging of Shakespeare’s classic tale of young lovers and feisty fairies.
Horse Box Theatre are inviting audiences to join them for a wild night at the Quay Arts full of cabaret, mischief, donkeys, music and love! A Midsummer Night’s Dream is directed by Joe Plumb and Ashleigh Mackness and boasts an incredibly talented team of actors, singers and aerial performers.
Joe Plumb, who recently staged a bold new version of Romeo and Juliet at the Apollo Theatre as well as sell-out productions of Bob: The Half A Sausage Musical at Ventnor Fringe and Ryde Boy at Department, waves his comedy magic over this hilarious new production of one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies.
Ashleigh Mackness, who recently starred as Christine in Phantom of the Opera at Shanklin Theatre and directed Jerusalem at the Quay Arts in November, will bring her musical theatre mastery to this production with stunning new arrangements of popular songs that punctuate the piece. She provides dazzling contemporary staging to this classic play.
Both directors also take on roles within the performance. Plumb will present his Bottom in a role he describes as “the perfect part for a silly ass like myself”. Mackness will play the role of Titania, the Queen of the Fairies and performs a sensational set of songs in the cabaret setting of this production. Mackness said “this is a night at the theatre that you won’t forget!”
Shane Jamie Green, who recently starred in Horse Box Theatre’s production of Jerusalem will take to the stage and the skies on the aerial hoop as he performs the ‘hotter than hot’ King Oberon. Horse Box Theatre regulars Ashley Hetherington (Ryde Boy & One Man, Two Guvnors) stars as the mischievous fairy Puck and Holly Downer (Vincent & the Mermaid & Jerusalem) plays the feisty mother, Egea.
The four lovers at the centre of the story are played by the young talented performers Ellie Warne, Josie Flack, Omar Naguib and Ruby Beaman. The ridiculous band of Mechanicals rehearsing for the ‘play-within-a-play’ are led by Vicky Wells as Quince and include Selwyn Hawtin, Laura Cansdale, Pete Stockman and Callum Davies.
The show also features singing talents from the Fairy Band made up of Harley Mackness, Georgina Davis Field and Holly Downer. Plus, aerial hoop and silk performances from Jaydene Lee Paddock.
Cheeky scenes of an adult nature
The performance contains some cheeky scenes of an adult nature, so parental guidance is advised.
Where and when
A Midsummer Night’s Dream takes place from Wednesday 10th to Saturday 13th April 2024 at Quay Arts Centre, Newport. Performances at 8pm each day.
Tickets, priced at £13.75 including booking fee, are available from the Quay Arts Box Office.
Visit the Horsebox Theatre website to find out more.
Our thanks to Horsebox Theatre for sponsoring for this feature. They and other businesses and organisations taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free.
